HARRISON — A Waterford boy pulled in the largest fish at Harrison’s 5th Annual Youth and Family Ice Fishing Derby last month.
Jesse Allen caught a 23-inch bass weighing 6.4 pounds, netting him the top prize of a youth lifetime fishing license.
Trevor Ward of Harrison came in second place, with a 5-pound, 22-inch bass and Caleb Hafford of Bridgton was third with a 4.6-pound, 20-inch bass.
Youth lifetime fishing licenses were also awarded to children who caught the smallest legal fish in the sanctioned area. They include Kaylee Politano, Brooke Brown and Ben Barker.
The licenses were donated by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, Harrison Western Maine Fish and Game Club and Joe Jack, derby coordinator and owner of Lake Region Outfitters.
The derby was held Feb. 23 at Long Lake and sanctioned by the DIFW. A total of 62 children and 42 adults registered. Eighteen parents registered under the sanction, which allowed people who do not hold a fishing license to legally assist a child or handicapped derby participant.
The following children caught fish on Long Lake outside the sanctioned area: Ethen Laubruskas, a 3.05-pound pickerel; and Peter Brown, a 2.4-pound pickerel. Mike Pike caught a 1.65-pound cusk and a 1.95-pound bass.
Others included Paul Ward, Ryan Preston and Brennan Bass.
Alicia Patrie won the largest fish for the adult division with a 5.2-pound cusk.
In the sanctioned area, anglers caught 16 fish. They included: Skyla Politano, Nolan Allen, Hannah Kimbal, Dillon Brown, Quinn Scheferstien, Addison Allen, Michael Politano, Everett Yannelli and Grace Yanneli.
The derby theme was Families Fishing Together. The derby was supported by Emily MacCabe, activities coordinator with DIFW’s Hooked on Fishing — Not on Drugs.
Cote Warner won the ice shack that was raffled.
The major derby sponsors included Emily MacCabe and Kristine Paulhus from the Maine Inland Fisheries and Wildlife program, Hooked on Fishing — Not on Drugs, Harrison’s Western Maine Fish and Game Club, Lake Region Outfitters, Unc’L Lunkers Bait and Tackle, The Market Basket and The Village Tie Up Market and Deli.
Derby prizes and numerous raffle prizes were donated by: A Plus Plumbing & Heating, Bridgton Subway, Bridgton True Value, Brill Lumber, Crystal Lake Spa and Salon, Lampron’s Convenience Store, Laird’s Family Tire & Service, M & J Firewood, Morning Dew Natural Foods Grocery & Deli, Olde Mill Tavern & Restaurant, Oxford Pizza Hut, Oxford Walmart, R.G. Johnson Ski & Sports, Ruby Slippers Cafe & Bakery, The Printery, Mike McLelland, Western Maine Firearms & Training, Woodman’s Sporting Goods and Willy C’s Bait and Tackle.
Volunteers included Joe Jack, Peter Jack, Arlin and Peggy Bigelow, Jody Bedard, Mike McLelland, Monty Hoskins, Chris Calise, Caleb Humphrey, Barbara Spurr and Doug Holt.
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